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Exercise plans By USC News Every year, it's the same old promise lose 20 pounds and finally get in shape and every year, most New Year's resolutions are failures by the time the Christmas uuid ainv^. Sound familiar? Well, don't despair. The good news is that even hard-core couch potatoes can succeed with an exercise plan, provided it's both realistic and good for you, said Dr. Dianne Ward, a fitness expert and professor of exercise science. The problem with most New Year's resolutions, Ward says, is that they focus on the end result rather than on behavioral cnanges. "If you're out of shape and overweight, and you make a resolution to look great in a bikini by May, you're almost bound to fail," Ward said. "You become so overwhelmed with the immensity of the goal and the slow progress that it takes to get there, that you . give up." A better, more workable solution, Ward said, is to recognize you have a sedentary life and then decide to take small steps toward a more active lifestyle. A person could decide, for example, to take the stairs rather than the elevator at work every day and to park in the farthest parking space. "On the surface, this may sound like a silly goal, but it's actually quite a good one," Ward said. "It's reasonable and doable and will help improve a sedentary person's fitness level." Of course, there's nothing wrong with wanting to incorporate "real" exercise into your schedule, but the plan should focus on behavior, not results, said Ward, who directs Goodbodies, a USC program designed to help overweight teens become more active. Joining a local health club could be the perfect answer or the worst answer to your fitness problems, she said. "You have to realize up front that most < people who go to health clubs are fit," Ward ' said. "You also have to avoid comparing > your progress to others, or you'll become < awfully frustrated." i teas and oc ply can't de Coffee Bean coffgg Dcanervt.ua. Bring this ad in and receive 10% Cc off your total purchase I expires 12/25/93 I i help people k< lh 'T8* 1 ~ >> M Jhmm wfc tl -v^->? * wP"'^f ? \ JSS V ,? '?-# ML - W|f Ilk A H Jw I W&^m$fy?j::'' \ - " "< ?91i A regular exercise program is an im Year's resolution to stay fit. This class ii Center; aerobic activity is recommendec Ward advised those choosing an exercise the routine to take a careful look at their schedule first. If it is impossible to make it to the ch< gym during its operating hours, then consid- to jr activities such as riding a stationary bike sai at home or taking early morning walks sev- 1 ;ral times a week. Consider all activities, yoi including Rollerblading, tennis, walking at ly I 77 I The Game ! todays. iKl^ season, do your shop- 'MW > \ Coffee Beanery, Ltd. ^ A 1 ind a wide selection of ^ ' fees, gift sets, espresso > ft A 4 makers, muas s#>tert cessories. Or if you sirrv clde. there's always a fjfi ery gift certificate. Jfejj >lumbiana Centre >>>>> [803) 732-7779 >>>>> Next to Dillards y>>X ;ep New Year's VI c?oai c)i "* ** I " I L / she sai Unli immec W does n a whik "Do workoi in a da sore it ________ from \ Eric Glenn/The Gamecock imnrov portant part of keeping a New s doing aerobics at the Blatt P.E. lime? j at least three times a week. An(J exercis life, re mall or exercising at home. and re ihe important thing is to set a goat that betes, mges your behavior from being passive some c active. What you do is secondary," Ward Exe d. health It's crucial, Ward said, to pick an activity said, j' 11 find interesting, convenient and readi- "Ext accessible. If you think you'd like rac- yourse icock wishes everyone ha; Dinner at A.J. Crab Cakes Grilled Fish Devine Chicken Pie Lamb Chops Unforgettable Desserts Devine Street resolutions 11, for instance, but don't have easy to racquetball courts or a partner you unt on, then you're headed for failure. i best activity is the one you'll do," said. "You have to set your sights on stic program or you'll become frusind easily sidetracked." e you begin, keep a record of how /ou exercise and what you do. Writiwn your activities helps you keep >f your exercise routine and keep your i track. are of letting boredom invade your pcrv^iQllv if vnn exercise alone wopvviuiij * * ^ ? ? - ? 'our activity allows it, use a Walkman m on your favorite music or listen to : on tape," Ward said. Some people fid it helpful to have an exercise parte said. 't worry about feeling uncomfortable ik when beginning a new exercise m. ordination and strength develop with e. No one can run a marathon or play :ct tennis match their first time out," d. Jce dieting, wmcn eaii miuw mi aimosi liate result on the scales, exercise ot have an immediate payoff. It takes 5 to build fitness and muscle tone, n't punish yourself with a grueling lit," Ward said. "You can't become fit ly, and you risk injury and developing luscles. Instead, mark your progress veek to week and be proud of your 'ements. You really will experience a : in body composition, but it takes there are lots of other reasons to te besides getting fit. Exercise extends duces the incidents of cardiovascular spiratory diseases, hypertension, diagall bladder disease, osteoporosis and ancers. rcise is also good for your mental and is a great stress manager. Ward arising makes you feel good about If. It's rejuvenating." ppy holidays. V^A ' w / 2 5 4 - 0 6 9 9 |H|